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Ahmedabad

Narmada only solution to drought: Gowda

AHMEDABAD: Former prime minister H D Deve Gowda on Saturday said that the Narmada project was the only solution to frequent droughts in Gujarat and urged the Central government to accord the highest priority to speedy implementation of the project.

Gowda, accompanied by Janata Dal general secretary Bapu Kaldate, visited the drought-affected Surendranagar and Rajkot district and criticised the state government for "inordinate delay in opening relief works and in making arrangements for supply of drinking water".

They said it was unfortunate that the administration has swung into action only in March when severe scarcity conditions had been predicted in September-October last year. "The delay has multiplied the sufferings of the people," Gowda said.

Gowda said that during his visit to Sayla taluka and some relief works in Surendranagar district, the workers employed there complained that they were given only Rs 12 to Rs 15 per day as against the government's claim of Rs 40. The labourers were equally perturbed over the delay in wages paid to them by the revenue staff.